What began as a worried grandson’s phone call turned into a heartbreaking discovery inside a home where deputies found a 91-year-old woman living among garbage, dog feces, rotten food, and a failing refrigerator — alongside an underfed dog struggling to survive.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to South Point for a welfare check after a family member said he had been unable to reach his grandmother for nearly two weeks.
The caller told dispatch he was deeply concerned because the elderly woman normally remained in contact with family, but suddenly no one could get ahold of her.
When deputies arrived, a nearby neighbor and landlord helped them enter the residence.
What they found inside was disturbing.
According to the report:
- garbage and food waste covered the floors
- dog feces were scattered throughout the home
- spoiled food and mold filled the refrigerator
- and the house was in severe disarray
Deputies located the 91-year-old woman sitting in her bedroom with her dog beside her.
The elderly woman appeared confused about when she had last seen the grandson she lived with. At first she told deputies he had been there earlier that day. Moments later, she reportedly changed her answer and said she had not seen him since Wednesday.
Deputies also learned the grandson reportedly had possession of:
- her cellphone
- her debit card
- and her only reliable means of communication
Dog Found Barely Surviving Inside Home
Deputies also became concerned about the condition of the family dog.
According to the report, the dog appeared severely underfed, with ribs and bones visibly protruding through its body.
Investigators noted the animal had apparently been roaming freely through the home searching for anything it could eat in order to survive.
Because of the conditions inside the residence — and concerns about both the woman’s safety and mobility — deputies ultimately removed him from the house and transported him to the Lawrence County Animal Shelter.
Deputies later described removing the dog as “one less trip hazard” inside the already dangerous home.
Rotten Refrigerator and No Reliable Help
While checking the house, deputies discovered the refrigerator was no longer functioning and filled with rotten food and mold.
The woman reportedly explained she believed rats had eaten the refrigerator wiring.
However, deputies later found a tripped breaker and attempted to restore power, though the refrigerator still failed to function.
EMS responded to check on the woman after she complained of feeling unwell and suffering from headaches.
Her blood sugar was reportedly low at 73, but she declined transportation to the hospital despite deputies’ concerns.
According to the report, deputies remained worried because the woman:
- had limited mobility
- lacked reliable access to food
- had no working phone available to her
- and had no dependable way to call for help if another emergency happened
Adult Protective Services was contacted, but deputies were reportedly told a caseworker would not be able to respond until the following Monday.
Grandson Later Calls Deputies Back
Hours later, deputies were contacted by the grandson, who reportedly said he had no phone service and was struggling financially.
He admitted the dog being removed was likely “a blessing in disguise” because he could no longer care for it properly.
According to the report, he also stated he had already considered giving the dog up a week earlier.
Deputies advised him Adult Protective Services would be conducting follow-up investigations into the living conditions.
And perhaps the saddest part…
The woman reportedly still did not want to leave her home.
Even surrounded by:
- trash
- animal waste
- spoiled food
- isolation
- and a starving pet
She still wanted to stay.
Which deputies say is often what makes elder neglect cases so difficult — because the people needing help sometimes don’t realize just how bad things have become.
